Mouth mask

ABSTRACT

A mouth mask includes a base frame member configured to fit the curvature of a human face, a shade fastened to the base frame member to form with the base frame member a curved surface for covering over the user&#39;s mouth and nose and having a notch on the middle part of the top side thereof around the user&#39;s nose to enhance wearing comfort, a chin support directly and angularly adjustably coupled to the base frame member or vertically and angularly adjustably coupled to the base frame member by means of an adapter member and defining with said base frame member an air hole for guiding out the user&#39;s exhaled air, and a set of ear loops respectively connected to the two ends of the base frame member for hanging on the user&#39;s ears.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a mask means for covering over the mouth and nose of a person to prevent spit flying and more particularly, to a mouth mask, which allows replacement of the shade and adjustment of the elevation and tilting angle of the chin support.

2. Description of the Related Art

Many mouth masks are commercially available for wearing by a person to prevent spit flying. According to conventional designs, the shade and chin support are arranged on one same axis. However, as the chin shape and length and the distance between the chin and the nose vary widely between people, the shade may be kept in close contact with the user's mouth and nose, affecting the user's speech clarity. In this case, the user's eyeglasses may fog up, interfering with the user's sight and breathing smoothness.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is one object of the present invention to provide a mouth mask consisting of a base frame member, a shade, a chin support and a set of ear loops, wherein the base frame member comprises a set of lugs; the chip support comprises a set of connectors pivotally coupled to the lugs of the base frame member for allowing adjustment of the tilting angle of the chin support relative to the base member.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a mouth mask consisting of a base frame member, a shade, a chin support and a set of ear loops, wherein the base frame member comprises a slide holder located on the middle part thereof; the chin support comprises a slide block slidably coupled to the slide holder for allowing adjustment of the elevation of the chin support relative to the base frame member.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a mouth mask consisting of a base frame member, a shade, a chin support and a set of ear loops, wherein the shade has a mounting strip affixed to the bottom edge thereof for detachably fastening to the base frame member; the base frame member comprises a plurality of coupling grooves for receiving the mounting strip and recessed portions for engagement with respective raised portions of the mounting strip. Thus, the shade is detachable for a replacement.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a mouth mask consisting of a base frame member, a shade, a chin support and a set of ear loops, wherein air holes are respectively formed in between the chin support and the spacer block and the middle part of the base frame member to provide an air guide passage for guiding the user's exhaled air downwardly out of the mouth mask, and, the shade has a notch on the middle of the top edge thereof, facilitating user breathing and enhancing mouth mask wearing comfort.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a mouth mask in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic assembly view of the mouth mask in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2-1 is an enlarged view of a part of the first embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the relationship between the base frame member and the chin support.

FIG. 3 corresponds to FIG. 2, illustrating another shape design of the chin support.

FIG. 4 is a schematic applied view of the first embodiment of the present invention, illustrating an adjustment of the tilting angle of the chin support relative to the base frame member.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a mouth mask in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic assembly view of the mouth mask in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a mouth mask in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic assembly view of the mouth mask in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of a mouth mask in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic assembly view of the mouth mask in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of a mouth mask in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic assembly view of the mouth mask in accordance with the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a schematic assembly view of a mouth mask in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view of the mouth mask in accordance with the sixth embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the angular position of the chin support adjusted relative to the base frame member.

FIG. 15 illustrates multiple circular air holes formed in the middle part of the base frame member in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 16 illustrates multiple rectangular air holes formed in the middle part of the base frame member in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 17 is an exploded view of a part of a mouth mask in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is an exploded view of a part of a mouth mask in accordance with an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is an assembly view of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is an exploded view of a part of a mouth mask in accordance with a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is an assembly view of FIG. 20.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a mouth mask in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention is shown comprising a base frame member 1, a shade 2, a chin support 3, and a set of ear loops 12.

The base frame member 1 is smoothly arched to fit the curvature of a human face, comprising a set of lugs 11 spaced on the middle of the inner side thereof. Each lug 11 defines a pivot hole 111 and a plurality of teeth 112 radially disposed at one side thereof around the pivot hole 111. The shade 2 has the bottom side thereof fastened to the base frame member 1, forming with the base frame member 1 a curved surface. The chin support 3 comprises a set of connectors 31 respectively disposed at the two distal ends of the top side thereof and respectively pivotally connected to the lugs 11 of the base frame member 1. Each connector 31 comprises a pivot rod 311 pivotally connected to the pivot hole 111 of one respective lug 11 of the base frame member 1, a plurality of teeth 312 radially disposed at one side thereof around the pivot rod 311 and engaged with the teeth 112 of the respective lug 11 of the base frame member 1, and a spacer block 33 located on the inner side thereof and kept in direct contact with the user's chin to keep the shade 2 away from the user's mouth and nose at a distance. Subject to the connection between the pivot rods 311 of the connectors 31 of the chin support 3 and the pivot holes 111 of the lugs 11 of the base frame member 1, the chin support 3 can be biased forwards or backwards relative to the base frame member 1 to the desired tilting angle (see FIG. 4). Further, the chin support 3 is detachable. Thus, chin supports having different shapes and/or sizes can be selectively used (see also FIG. 3). Further, subject to the engagement structure between the teeth 112 of the lugs 11 of the base frame member 1 and the teeth 312 of the connector 31 of the chin support 3, the chin support 3 can be quickly secured in position after adjustment of each angle relative to the base frame member 1 (see FIG. 2-1). Further, an air hole 331 is defined between the chin support 3 and the spacer block 33. Further, another air hole 16 is formed in a middle part of the base frame member 1 in communication with the air hole 331 to form an air guide passage for guiding the user's exhaled air downwardly out of the mouth mask. Further, the shade 2 has a notch 22 on the middle of the top edge thereof, facilitating user breathing and enhancing mouth mask wearing comfort. Further, the ear loops 12 are respectively connected to the two ends of the base frame member 1 for hanging on the user's ears.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a mouth mask in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention is shown. This second embodiment is substantially similar to the aforesaid first embodiment with the exception that the shade 2 has a mounting strip 21 affixed to the bottom edge thereof for detachably fastened to coupling grooves 13 that are located on the base frame member 1 near its two ends. The mounting strip 21 has raised portions 211 that are forced into engagement with respective recessed portions 14 of the base frame member 1 when the mounting strip 21 is inserted into the coupling grooves 13. Further, air holes 16 and 212 are respectively formed in the base frame member 1 and the mounting strip 21 to provide an air passage for guiding the user's exhaled air downwardly out of the mouth mask.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, a mouth mask in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention is shown. This third embodiment allows adjustment of the position of the chin support 3 upwardly and downwardly relative to the base frame member 1. As illustrated, the base frame member 1 further comprises a slide holder 15 located on the middle. The slide holder 15 comprises two sliding grooves 151 vertically arranged in parallel, and a series of recessed positioning holes 152 spaced in between the two sliding grooves 151. The chin support 3 further comprises a sliding block 32, which has two opposite side edges 321 thereof respectively slidably coupled to the vertically extending sliding grooves 151 of the slide holder 15, and a raised positioning portion 322 selectively engaged into one of the recessed positioning holes 152 to lock the sliding block 32 to the slide holder 15 in one of a series of elevational positions.

Further, the spacer block 33 of the chin support 3 comprises two constraint plates 332 respectively disposed at an outer side relative to the two opposite side edges 321 of the sliding block 32. When the side edges 321 of the sliding block 32 are respectively slidably coupled to the vertically extending sliding grooves 151 of the slide holder 15, the constraint plates 332 are respectively slidably kept in contact with the two opposite lateral sidewalls of the slide holder 15, facilitating smooth adjustment of the elevation of the chin support 3 relative to the base frame member 1. Further, the spacer block 33 comprises two air holes 331 disposed at two opposite lateral sides relative to the sliding block 32 for guiding the user's exhaled air downwardly out of the mouth mask.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, a mouth mask in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown. This fourth embodiment allows adjustment of the vertical position and tilting angle of the chin support 3 relative to the base frame member 1. As illustrated, the base frame member 1 of this fourth embodiment is constructed subject to the aforesaid third embodiment shown in FIG. 7; the chin support 3 of this fourth embodiment is constructed subject to the aforesaid first embodiment shown in FIG. 1; the mouth mask of this fourth embodiment further comprises an adapter member 4 for coupling the chin support 3 to base frame member 1 for allowing adjustment of the tilting angle of the chin support 3 relative to the base frame member 1. As illustrated, the adapter member 4 comprises two lugs 41 respectively located on the two ends thereof, and a sliding block 42 located on the middle. Each lug 41 defines a pivot hole 411 pivotally coupled to the pivot rod 311 of one respective connector 31 of the chin support 3, and a plurality of teeth 412 radially disposed at one side thereof around the pivot hole 411 and engaged with the teeth 312 of the respective connector 31 of the chin support 3. The sliding block 42 has two opposite side edges 421 thereof respectively slidably coupled to the vertically extending sliding grooves 151 of the slide holder 15 of the base frame member 1, and a raised positioning portion (not shown) selectively engaged into one of the recessed positioning holes 152 to lock the sliding block 42 to the slide holder 15 in one of a series of elevational positions. Thus, the chin support 3 can be adjusted to one of a series of vertically positions relative to the base frame member 1 and one of a series of tilting angles relative to the adapter member 4 and the base frame member 1. Further, an air hole is defined between the spacer block 33 of the chin support 3 and the adapter member 4 for guiding the user's exhaled air downwardly out of the mouth mask. Further, a notch 22 is located on the middle part of the top edge of the shade 2 around the user's nose, enhancing wearing comfort.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, a mouth mask in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention is shown. This fifth embodiment is substantially similar to the aforesaid fourth embodiment with the exception of that the shade 2 has a mounting strip 21 affixed to the bottom edge thereof for detachably fastened to coupling grooves 13 that are located on the base frame member 1 near its two ends. The mounting strip 21 has raised portions 211 that are forced into engagement with respective recessed portions 14 of the base frame member 1 when the mounting strip 21 is inserted into the coupling grooves 13.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, a mouth mask in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention is shown. The mouth mask comprises a base frame member 1, a shade 2, a chin support 3, and a set of ear loops 12. The base frame member 1 is configured to fit the curvature of the face of a human being. The shade 2 has the bottom edge thereof fastened to the base frame member 1. The base frame member 1 comprises two coupling rods 113 perpendicularly extended from the back side thereof on the middle. Each coupling rod 113 has a rounded head 1131. The chin support 3 comprises two coupling members 34 corresponding to the coupling rods 113 of the base frame member 1. Each coupling member 34 comprises an elastic ball socket 341 defining therein a socket hole 342. The rounded heads 1131 of the coupling rods 113 are respectively engaged into the socket holes 342 of the elastic ball sockets 341 of the coupling members 34. Further, the rounded head 1131 of each coupling rod 113 has a coarsened surface, enhancing friction resistant against the surface in the socket hole 342 of the associating elastic ball socket 341. Thus, the chin support 3 can be conveniently adjusted to the desired angle relative to the base frame member 1 and then positively kept in position after adjustment. Further, an air hole 331 is defined between the spacer block 33 of the chin support 3 and the base frame member 1. Another air hole 16 is formed in the middle part of the base frame member 1. The air holes 331 and 16 provide an air passage for guiding the user's exhaled air downwardly out of the mouth mask to enhance wearing comfort. Alternatively, the base frame member 1 can be configured to provide circular air holes 161 or rectangular 162 on the middle part thereof for guiding the user's exhaled air out of the mouth mask (see FIGS. 15 and 16).

Referring to FIG. 17, a mouth mask in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the present invention is shown. This seventh embodiment is substantially similar to the aforesaid sixth embodiment with the exception that the base frame member 1 comprises two plug rods 114 perpendicularly extended from the back side thereof on the middle; the chin support 3 comprises two coupling members 35. Each coupling member 35 defined therein a plug hole 351 for detachably receiving one respective plug rod 113. Further, an air hole 331 is defined between the spacer block 33 of the chin support 3 and the base frame member 1. Another air hole 16 is formed in the middle part of the base frame member 1. The air holes 331 and 16 provide an air passage for guiding the user's exhaled air downwardly out of the mouth mask to enhance wearing comfort.

FIGS. 18 and 19 illustrate a mouth mask in accordance with an eighth embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is substantially similar to the aforesaid seventh embodiment with the exception that each coupling rod 113 of the base frame member 1 has a rounded head 1131 for inserting into the plug hole 351 of the associating coupling member 35 of the chin support 3 for friction engagement with the associating coupling member 35.

FIGS. 20 and 21 illustrate a mouth mask in accordance with a ninth embodiment of the present invention. This ninth embodiment is substantially similar to the aforesaid various embodiments with the exception of the coupling structure between the base frame member 1 and the chin support 3. As illustrated, the base frame member 1 comprises a pivot holder 17 extended from the middle part of the back side (inner side) thereof; the chin support 3 comprises two open-end coupling bars 36 pivotally coupled to the pivot holder 17. The pivot holder 17 holds two pivot rods 171 at the distal end thereof in a line. Each pivot rod 171 has raised stripes 172 spaced around the periphery. Each open-end coupling bar 36 defines a coupling hole 361 pivotally coupled to one pivot rod 171. Further, each open-end coupling bar 36 comprises a plurality of raised stripes 362 spaced in the coupling hole 361 for engagement with the raised stripes 172 of the associating pivot rod 171. Further, an air hole 313 is defined between the spacer block 33 of the chin support 3 and the base frame member 1 for guiding the user's exhaled air out of the mouth mask.

Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims. 

What the invention claimed is:
 1. A mouth mask, comprising: a base frame member configured to fit the curvature of a human face, said base frame member comprising a set of lugs spaced on a middle part of an inner side thereof, each said lug defining a pivot hole; a shade having a bottom side thereof fastened to said base frame member, said shade forming with said base frame member a curved surface for covering over the mouth and nose of the user; a chin support detachably and angularly adjustably coupled to said base frame member, said chin support comprising a set of connectors respectively disposed at two distal ends of a top side thereof and respectively pivotally connected to the lugs of said base frame member and a spacer block located on an inner side thereof for attaching to the chin of the user to keep said shade away from the mouth and nose of the user at a distance, each said connector comprising a pivot rod pivotally connected to the pivot hole of one respective lug of said base frame member; and a set of ear loops respectively connected to the two ends of said base frame member for hanging on the ears of the person.
 2. The mouth mask as claimed in claim 1, wherein each said lug of said base frame member further comprises and a plurality of teeth radially disposed at one side around the pivot hole thereof; each said connector of said chin support further comprises a plurality of teeth radially disposed at one side around the pivot rod thereof and engaged with the teeth of the respective lug of said base frame member.
 3. The mouth mask as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a mounting strip affixed to a bottom edge of said shape for detachably fastening said shape to said base frame member, wherein said base frame member comprises a plurality of coupling grooves and at least one recessed portion; said mounting strip is detachably inserted into said coupling grooves of said base frame member, comprising at least one raised portion respectively forced into engagement with the at least one recessed portion of said base frame member.
 4. The mouth mask as claimed in claim 1, wherein said chin support and said base frame member defined therebetween an air hole for downwardly guiding the user's exhaled air out of the mouth mask.
 5. The mouth mask as claimed in claim 1, wherein said base frame member comprises an air hole located on a middle part thereof.
 6. The mouth mask as claimed in claim 1, wherein said shade comprises a notch located on a middle part of a top edge thereof around the user's nose.
 7. A mouth mask, comprising: a base frame member configured to fit the curvature of a human face, said base frame member comprising a slide holder located on a middle part thereof, said slide holder comprising two sliding grooves vertically arranged in parallel and a series of recessed positioning holes spaced in between said two sliding grooves; a shade having a bottom side thereof fastened to said base frame member, said shade forming with said base frame member a curved surface for covering over the mouth and nose of the user; a chin support detachably and angularly adjustably coupled to said base frame member, said chin support comprising a sliding block and a spacer block located on an inner side thereof for attaching to the chin of the user to keep said shade away from the mouth and nose of the user at a distance, said sliding block having two opposite side edges thereof respectively slidably coupled to the vertically extending sliding grooves of said slide holder, and a raised positioning portion selectively engaged into one of the recessed positioning holes of said slide holder to lock said sliding block to said slide holder in one of a series of elevational positions; and a set of ear loops respectively connected to the two ends of said base frame member for hanging on the ears of the user.
 8. The mouth mask as claimed in claim 7, wherein said spacer block of said chin support comprises two constraint plates respectively disposed at an outer side relative to the two opposite side edges of said sliding block, said constraint plates being respectively slidably kept in contact with two opposite lateral sidewalls of said slide holder when said side edges of said sliding block are respectively slidably coupled to said vertically extending sliding grooves of said slide holder.
 9. The mouth mask as claimed in claim 7, wherein said spacer block comprises two air holes disposed at two opposite lateral sides relative to said sliding block for guiding the user's exhaled air downwardly out of the mouth mask.
 10. A mouth mask, comprising: a base frame member configured to fit the curvature of a human face, said base frame member comprising a slide holder located on a middle part thereof, said slide holder comprising two sliding grooves vertically arranged in parallel and a series of recessed positioning holes spaced in between said two sliding grooves; a shade having a bottom side thereof fastened to said base frame member, said shade forming with said base frame member a curved surface for covering over the mouth and nose of the user; an adapter member vertically adjustably coupled to said slide holder of said base member, said adapter member comprising two lugs respectively disposed at two opposite lateral sides thereof and a sliding block located on a middle part thereof, said sliding block comprising two opposite side edges respectively slidably coupled to the vertically extending sliding grooves of said slide holder and a raised positioning portion selectively engaged into one of the recessed positioning holes of said slide holder to lock said sliding block to said slide holder in one of a series of elevational positions, each said lug comprising a pivot hole and a plurality of teeth radially disposed around said pivot hole; a chin support detachably and angularly adjustably coupled to said lugs of said adapter member, said chin support comprising a set of connectors respectively disposed at two distal ends of a top side thereof and respectively pivotally connected to the lugs of said adapter member and a spacer block located on an inner side thereof for attaching to the chin of the user to keep said shade away from the mouth and nose of the user at a distance, each said connector comprising a pivot rod pivotally connected to the pivot hole of one respective lug of said base frame member and a plurality of teeth radially disposed around said pivot rod and engaged with the teeth of the respective lug of said adapter member; and a set of ear loops respectively connected to the two ends of said base frame member for hanging on the ears of the user.
 11. The mouth mask as claimed in claim 10, wherein said spacer block of said chin support and said adapter member define therebetween an air hole for guiding the user's exhaled air downwardly out of the mouth mask.
 12. The mouth mask as claimed in claim 10, further comprising a mounting strip affixed to a bottom edge of said shape for detachably fastening said shape to said base frame member, wherein said base frame member comprises a plurality of coupling grooves and at least one recessed portion; said mounting strip is detachably inserted into said coupling grooves of said base frame member, comprising at least one raised portion respectively forced into engagement with the at least one recessed portion of said base frame member.
 13. A mouth mask, comprising a base frame member, a shade fastened to a top side of said base frame member, a chin support fastened to a back side of said base frame member, and a set of ear loops located on two opposite lateral sides of said base frame member and adapted for fastening said base frame member to the head of a person, wherein: said base frame member comprises two coupling rods perpendicularly extended from the back side thereof on the middle, each said coupling rod comprising a rounded head, said chin support comprising two coupling members respectively coupled to said coupling rods of said base frame member.
 14. The mouth mask as claimed in claim 13, wherein each said coupling member comprises an elastic ball socket, said elastic ball socket defining therein a socket hole for receiving the rounded head of one said coupling rod in a friction engagement manner.
 15. The mouth mask as claimed in claim 13, wherein said spacer block of said chin support and said base frame member define therebetween an air hole for guiding the user's exhaled air downwardly out of the mouth mask to enhance wearing comfort.
 16. The mouth mask as claimed in claim 13, wherein said base frame member comprises an air hole located on a middle part thereof for guiding the user's exhaled air downwardly out of the mouth mask.
 17. The mouth mask as claimed in claim 13, wherein said base frame member comprises a plurality of air holes arranged in series in different shapes on a middle part thereof for guiding out the user's exhaled air.
 18. The mouth mask as claimed in claim 13, wherein said coupling members of said chin support each define therein a plug hole; said coupling rods of said base frame member are detachably press-fitted into the plug holes of said coupling members of said chin support.
 19. A mouth mask, comprising a base frame member, a shade fastened to a top side of said base frame member, a chin support fastened to a back side of said base frame member, and a set of ear loops located on two opposite lateral sides of said base frame member and adapted for fastening said base frame member to the head of a person, wherein: said base frame member comprises a pivot holder extended from a middle part of a back side thereof, said pivot holder comprises two pivot rods disposed at a distal end thereof in a line; said chin support comprises two open-end coupling bars detachably coupled to the pivot rods of said pivot holder, each said open-end coupling bar defining a coupling hole pivotally coupled to one said pivot rod. 